In this Aug. 24, 2007, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds, right, hits his 761st career home run, a solo effort, off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chris Capuano in the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco. Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are set to show up on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, and fans will soon find out whether drug allegations block the former stars from reaching baseball's shrine.

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In this Aug. 24, 2007, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds, right, hits his 761st career home run, a solo effort, off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chris Capuano in the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco. Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are set to show up on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, and fans will soon find out whether drug allegations block the former stars from reaching baseball's shrine.

In this Aug. 24, 2007, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds,...right, hits his 761st career home run, a solo effort, off Milwaukee...Brewers pitcher Chris Capuano in the fourth inning of a baseball game...in San Francisco. Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are set to show...up on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time on Wednesday, Nov....28, 2012, and fans will soon find out whether drug allegations block...the former stars from reaching baseball's shrine.

San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds, shown reacting after his two-run homer against the San Diego Padres in San Francisco in Sept. 24, 1993.

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San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds, shown reacting after his two-run homer against the San Diego Padres in San Francisco in Sept. 24, 1993.

San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds, shown reacting after his two-run...homer against the San Diego Padres in San Francisco in Sept. 24, 1993.

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Tim Johnson / Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds watches the ball go over the left center field fence after he hit a solo home run in the first inning, Sunday, Aug. 7, 1994, in Houston.

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San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds watches the ball go over the left center field fence after he hit a solo home run in the first inning, Sunday, Aug. 7, 1994, in Houston.

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds watches the ball go over the left...center field fence after he hit a solo home run in the first inning,...Sunday, Aug. 7, 1994, in Houston.

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Charles Bennett / AP

The San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds reacts after getting caught stealing second in the first inning of Tuesday's game, Aug. 9, 1994, with the Chicago Cubs in Chicago. The Giants went on to beat the Cubs 3-2.

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The San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds reacts after getting caught stealing second in the first inning of Tuesday's game, Aug. 9, 1994, with the Chicago Cubs in Chicago. The Giants went on to beat the Cubs 3-2.

The San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds reacts after getting caught...stealing second in the first inning of Tuesday's game, Aug. 9, 1994,...with the Chicago Cubs in Chicago. The Giants went on to beat the Cubs...3-2.

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Eric Risberg / AP

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds, left, slides safely into home plate to score the Giants' fifth run as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Kendall applies a tag during the seventh inning of their game in San Francisco, Thursday Sept. 24, 1998.

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San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds, left, slides safely into home plate to score the Giants' fifth run as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Kendall applies a tag during the seventh inning of their game in San Francisco, Thursday Sept. 24, 1998.

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds, left, slides safely into home plate...to score the Giants' fifth run as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason...Kendall applies a tag during the seventh inning of their game in San...Francisco, Thursday Sept. 24, 1998.

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Tim Sharp / AP

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds is wide-eyed after taking strike two from Texas Rangers pitcher Darren Oliver during the fourth inning of an interleague game Thursday night, June 12, 1997, in Arlington, Texas. San Francisco won 4-3.

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San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds is wide-eyed after taking strike two from Texas Rangers pitcher Darren Oliver during the fourth inning of an interleague game Thursday night, June 12, 1997, in Arlington, Texas. San Francisco won 4-3.

San Francisco Giant's Barry Bonds watches his first home run of the day leave the ballpark in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999, in Chicago. Bonds hit a three-run home run later in the fifth inning.

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San Francisco Giant's Barry Bonds watches his first home run of the day leave the ballpark in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999, in Chicago. Bonds hit a three-run home run later in the fifth inning.

San Francisco Giant's Barry Bonds watches his first home run of the...day leave the ballpark in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs,...Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999, in Chicago. Bonds hit a three-run home run...later in the fifth inning.

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Chris Stewart / The Chronicle

San Francisco Giants left fielder Barry Bonds goes up high to pull down a long drive by Phillies short stop Kevin Stocker, keeping runners stopped at first and second base, and preventing a possible come-from-behind finish by the Phillies in the ninth inning on August 30, 1995.

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San Francisco Giants left fielder Barry Bonds goes up high to pull down a long drive by Phillies short stop Kevin Stocker, keeping runners stopped at first and second base, and preventing a possible come-from-behind finish by the Phillies in the ninth inning on August 30, 1995.

San Francisco Giants left fielder Barry Bonds goes up high to pull...down a long drive by Phillies short stop Kevin Stocker, keeping...runners stopped at first and second base, and preventing a possible...come-from-behind finish by the Phillies in the ninth inning on August...30, 1995.

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AP

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds, center, waves to the crowd as he celebrates his 500th career home run with Hall of Famers Willie McCovey, left, and Willie Mays April 17, 2000, at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco.

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San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds, center, waves to the crowd as he celebrates his 500th career home run with Hall of Famers Willie McCovey, left, and Willie Mays April 17, 2000, at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco.

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds, center, waves to the crowd as he...celebrates his 500th career home run with Hall of Famers Willie...McCovey, left, and Willie Mays April 17, 2000, at Pacific Bell Park in...San Francisco.

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Ben Margot / AP

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds hits his 72nd home run of the season in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 5, 2001, at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco. Bonds has the record for most home runs in a season beating Mark McGwire's home run record set in 1998.

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San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds hits his 72nd home run of the season in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 5, 2001, at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco. Bonds has the record for most home runs in a season beating Mark McGwire's home run record set in 1998.

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds hits his 72nd home run of the season...in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 5,...2001, at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco. Bonds has the record for...most home runs in a season beating Mark McGwire's home run record set...in 1998.

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Julie Jacobson / AP

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds hits his 73rd home run of the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001.

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San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds hits his 73rd home run of the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001.

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds hits his 73rd home run of the season...against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco,...Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001.

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John G. Mabanglo / AFP/Getty Images

San Francisco Giants' slugger Barry Bonds (center) is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game-winning two-run home run in the 10th inning against the San Diego Padres 05 April 2002 in San Francisco. It was Bonds' 572 career home run as the Giants defeated the Padres 3-1.

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San Francisco Giants' slugger Barry Bonds (center) is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game-winning two-run home run in the 10th inning against the San Diego Padres 05 April 2002 in San Francisco. It was Bonds' 572 career home run as the Giants defeated the Padres 3-1.

San Francisco Giants' slugger Barry Bonds (center) is mobbed by...teammates after hitting the game-winning two-run home run in the 10th...inning against the San Diego Padres 05 April 2002 in San Francisco. It...was Bonds' 572 career home run as the Giants defeated the Padres 3-1.

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Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

Barry Bonds best chance at a World Series was in 2002, when the Giants lost to the Anaheim Angels in seven games.

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Barry Bonds best chance at a World Series was in 2002, when the Giants lost to the Anaheim Angels in seven games.

Barry Bonds best chance at a World Series was in 2002, when the Giants...lost to the Anaheim Angels in seven games.

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Julie Jacobson / AP

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds slaps the second base bag after successfully recording his 500th career stolen base as Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Jason Romano stands by during the 11th inning Monday, June 23, 2003 in San Francisco. Bonds became the first player ever with 500 stolen bases and 500 home runs.

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San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds slaps the second base bag after successfully recording his 500th career stolen base as Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Jason Romano stands by during the 11th inning Monday, June 23, 2003 in San Francisco. Bonds became the first player ever with 500 stolen bases and 500 home runs.

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds slaps the second base bag after...successfully recording his 500th career stolen base as Los Angeles...Dodgers second baseman Jason Romano stands by during the 11th inning...Monday, June 23, 2003 in San Francisco. Bonds became the first player...ever with 500 stolen bases and 500 home runs.

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Getty Images

Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants watches the ball with Clay Hensley and Josh Bard after hitting his career home run number 755 in the second inning against the San Diego Padres during a MLB game at Petco Park August 4, 2007 in San Diego, California. Bonds tied Hank Aaron's career all time home run record.

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Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants watches the ball with Clay Hensley and Josh Bard after hitting his career home run number 755 in the second inning against the San Diego Padres during a MLB game at Petco Park August 4, 2007 in San Diego, California. Bonds tied Hank Aaron's career all time home run record.

Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants watches the ball with Clay...Hensley and Josh Bard after hitting his career home run number 755 in...the second inning against the San Diego Padres during a MLB game at...Petco Park August 4, 2007 in San Diego, California. Bonds tied Hank...Aaron's career all time home run record.

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Lance Iversen / The Chronicle

Barry Bonds hits home run number 756 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Washington Nationals play the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA, on Tuesday, August 7, 2007.

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Barry Bonds hits home run number 756 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Washington Nationals play the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA, on Tuesday, August 7, 2007.

Barry Bonds hits home run number 756 in the bottom of the fifth...inning. Washington Nationals play the San Francisco Giants at AT&T...Park in San Francisco, CA, on Tuesday, August 7, 2007.

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Mark Costantini / TheChronicle

Fans replace the number 755 with 756 while celebratingBarry Bonds's 756th home run that breaks the all-time career home run record.

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Fans replace the number 755 with 756 while celebratingBarry Bonds's 756th home run that breaks the all-time career home run record.

Fans replace the number 755 with 756 while celebratingBarry Bonds's...756th home run that breaks the all-time career home run record.

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Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

Barry Bonds slaps his bat after popping out deep to center field in his last at-bat as a San Francisco Giant. at AT&T Park on Wednesday, September 26, 2007.

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Barry Bonds slaps his bat after popping out deep to center field in his last at-bat as a San Francisco Giant. at AT&T Park on Wednesday, September 26, 2007.

Barry Bonds slaps his bat after popping out deep to center field in...his last at-bat as a San Francisco Giant. at AT&T Park on Wednesday,...September 26, 2007.

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Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

Barry Bonds waves goodbye to the crowd at AT&T Park after his last at-bat as a San Francisco Giant against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Ca., on Wednesday, September 26, 2007. This game marks the end of Barry Bonds's career as a Giant in front of the home crowd, as he has been informed that he will not return to the team by the team's management.

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Barry Bonds waves goodbye to the crowd at AT&T Park after his last at-bat as a San Francisco Giant against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Ca., on Wednesday, September 26, 2007. This game marks the end of Barry Bonds's career as a Giant in front of the home crowd, as he has been informed that he will not return to the team by the team's management.

Barry Bonds waves goodbye to the crowd at AT&T Park after his last...at-bat as a San Francisco Giant against the San Diego Padres at AT&T...Park in San Francisco, Ca., on Wednesday, September 26, 2007. This...game marks the end of Barry Bonds's career as a Giant in front of the...home crowd, as he has been informed that he will not return to the...team by the team's management.

Major League Baseball’s website just ran a story quoting Barry Bonds, who is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.

Here’s what he told Barry Bloom in the interview:

“I do really care. I may say I don’t, but I do really care. I’ve been through a lot in my life so not too many things bother me. Making the Hall of Fame, would it be something that’s gratifying because of what I’ve sacrificed? Sure. Baseball has been a big part of our lives. We’ve sacrificed our bodies. It’s the way we made our living.”

On wishing he’d done things differently: “But I can’t turn back the clock now. Time has passed. Wounds for me have healed.”

On Hall of Fame voters: “I don’t even know how to explain it. The world has become so negative. One day, I’ll be able to say things the right way. But it’s tough when you have so many people out there who don’t want to turn the page and want to be angry at you forever. I don’t understand why it continues on. What am I doing wrong?

“I can sit here and say, ‘You know what? Baseball is great. I love it.’ I can sit here and say in a very kind way that I’m sorry about the way things ended. I can sit here and say that I respect the Hall of Fame, which I do. But I don’t understand all the controversy we’re having about it. For what reason? What’s there to be gained by all of this? What’s the point?”

On the physical pounding a ballplayer takes: “As an athlete you only have so much time. The window only has so much time and then it closes. You have to take care of yourself the best you can. After that we all sit in our houses or hotels or whatever at 20 years old, at 30 years old or 40 years old and try to figure it out. I never even read a book before. What do I do now? I picked a career that only lasted half my life.”

On returning to the game as a hitting instructor: “I’m an expert in baseball and I don’t even have a job. I’m an expert, more so than a lot of people out there. It should be my career until I’m dead. I should be one of the instructors. I think I’ve earned it.

“I’m going to go back to the Bay Area, this is my thing, and I’m just going to open my own school of baseball. Find a facility, find a place and just teach kids. That’s what I want to do. There’s no opportunities for me in the game, but there are opportunities for me to give to other people. That’s how I look at it.”

On the Hall of Fame election process: “And I’m trying to say this in the most diplomatic way because I’m not the most diplomatic person. It doesn’t belong to us. It’s like a neighborhood that doesn’t accept anyone under the age of 20 because they’re worried that they’re going to tear the place down. It’s supposed to be a town for everyone. I want to be part of Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame, but I don’t want to be part of the kind of Hall of Fame that’s based on voters’ beliefs and assumptions.

“If you believe I’m a bad person, if you believe I’m a drug person, then I don’t need to be a part of it. If you don’t want to put me in for those reasons then that’s fine. No worries. I’m OK with it. If you want to put me in for what I did as a player, that would be great. I’d love to be in there with everyone else who deserves it.”

To see this year’s full list of Hall of Fame nominees, check the gallery below: